UF student receives national award to fund internship in disability and rehabilitation research

University of Florida student William Eastburn has received a National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research Scholar award. The prize includes a $5,000 stipend to provide internship opportunities in disability and rehabilitation research for undergraduate students with disabilities.

Eastburn, a student in the College of Health Professions’ department of occupational therapy, is assisting with research conducted by the UF Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Technology for Successful Aging, directed by William Mann, Ph.D., chair of the department of occupational therapy. The center is developing assistive devices and computerized systems to aid seniors with disabilities.

As a National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research scholar, Eastburn conducts data entry for the center and helps recruit research participants.

Eastburn, who suffered a stroke at the age of 23, plans to focus his career on working with the elderly and individuals who have suffered a stroke.